Apply for a permit to join your EU or EEA family member in the UK
You may be able to get a family permit to come to the UK if both of the following apply:
- you are from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) (external link)
- you are the family member of an EEA or Swiss national (excluding UK nationals)
You must be outside the UK to apply for a family permit.
There will be no change to the rights and status of EU citizens currently living in the UK until 30 June 2021. You and your family can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (external link) to continue living in the UK.
There are 2 different family permits:
- the EU Settlement Scheme family permit
- the EEA family permit
The one you should apply for depends on your circumstances.
EU Settlement Scheme family permit
Apply for the EU Settlement Scheme family permit if you are the close family member of an EEA or Swiss national and they have ‘settled’ or ‘pre-settled’ status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
You must be a ‘close’ family member, such as a spouse, civil partner, dependent child or dependent parent.
Check if you are eligible and apply for the EU Settlement Scheme family permit (external link)
EEA family permit
Apply for the EEA Family Permit if you are a close or extended family member of an EEA or Swiss national.
You can be a close or ‘extended’ family member - for example a brother, sister, aunt, uncle, cousin, nephew or niece.
Check if you are eligible and apply for the EEA family permit (external link)
There are other ways you may be eligible for an EEA family permit, for example:
- with a ‘derivative right of residence (external link)’ - you’re the carer of someone who has the right to be in the UK, the carer’s child, or the child of an EEA national who previously worked in the UK
- if you can make a ‘Surinder Singh (external link)’ application after living in another EEA country with a British family member
- with a ‘retained right of residence (external link)’ - you have the right to stay in the UK as the family member of an EEA national who has died, left the UK or is no longer your spouse or civil partner
Fees
What they do
Both family permits make it easier and quicker to enter the UK. You might not get a boarding pass and could experience major delays without one.
You may be refused entry into the UK if you do not have an EU Settlement Scheme or EEA family permit.
When you arrive in the UK
You should see a border control officer instead of using the automatic ePassport gates. The officer will check your permit.
How long you can stay
Both family permits are valid for 6 months. You can leave and enter the UK as many times as you need within that time.
You may be able to stay after your family permit has expired (external link).